Florida boaters just got hit with one law that made them instantly regret their reckless ways

Reckless boaters in Florida just got a wake-up call they’ll never forget.

New laws are cracking down hard on dangerous behavior that’s been plaguing the state’s waterways for years.

And Florida boaters just got hit with one law that made them instantly regret their reckless ways.

“Lucy’s Law” Just Changed the Game for Florida Boaters

Reckless boaters who thought they could get away with anything just got a reality check.

“Lucy’s Law” started July 1, 2025, right before the biggest boating weekend of the summer.¹

This law carries the name of 17-year-old Lucy Fernandez, who lost her life in a horrific 2022 boat crash in the Florida Keys after the boat she was riding in slammed into a channel marker near Boca Chita Key.

A dozen others were on the boat during that horrific accident, including 18-year-old Katerina Puig, who is now permanently disabled.²

George Pino is facing homicide charges after operating the boat and refusing a Breathalyzer test.

Lucy’s mother, Melissa Fernandez, said during a recent press conference, “Lucy was an incredible person. She was light, she was joy, she was all of those things, and she loved the water more than anything in the world.”³

Now Lucy’s tragic death has led to the most comprehensive boating safety overhaul Florida has ever seen.

Hit-and-Run Boaters Now Face Serious Prison Time

Lucy’s Law just put the hammer down on boaters who think they can flee a crash and get away with it.

Leave the scene when someone gets seriously hurt? That’s a second-degree felony now..

If someone dies and the boater flees, it escalates to a first-degree felony – the most serious charge possible short of capital murder.⁴

Boaters who leave the scene of a crash that results in property damage will face second-degree misdemeanor charges.

Giving false information about a crash is also now a second-degree misdemeanor.

The minimum boating-under-the-influence penalties now match the exact same penalties for driving a car under the influence, including license suspensions and jail time.

Someone convicted of boating under the influence who leaves the scene of a crash or doesn’t notify law enforcement faces a minimum sentence of four years in prison.⁵

That’s a far cry from the slap-on-the-wrist penalties that used to let dangerous boaters walk away with barely a scratch.

Florida’s Boating Death Problem Just Keeps Getting Worse

These new laws couldn’t have come at a better time.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says the Sunshine State beats every other state when it comes to boating deaths.

In 2024, 81 deaths were reported – a 37% increase from the previous year.⁶

With over one million recreational vessels registered in Florida, the massive number of boats contributes to the high accident and fatality rates.

Personal watercraft are becoming faster and more powerful each year, and 2024’s crashes took their toll with 149 of them across the state, causing 12 deaths and 113 injuries.⁷

The FWC reports that booze or drugs played a role in more than one-third of Florida’s boating deaths last year.

Randell Morris, who has fished on Lake Talquin for more than 30 years, said he’s witnessed how dangerous conditions become when alcohol gets involved.

“Since I’ve been out here fishing for these years, I’ve seen a lot of accidents. Just about every accident that happened out on the water, someone is intoxicated,” Morris told reporters.⁸

Boater Freedom Act Creates Controversy During Busy Weekend

While Lucy’s Law cracks down on reckless behavior, another new law is stirring up controversy among law enforcement.

The “Boater Freedom Act,” also signed by Governor Ron DeSantis and effective July 1, prohibits officers from stopping boaters for random safety checks.

Instead, law enforcement must now have probable cause – like suspicion of drunk driving, speeding, overcrowding, or missing safety equipment – before they can perform routine safety inspections.⁹

“Law enforcement can’t just go up to you, stop and search you if there’s not a basis to do that,” DeSantis said during the May 19 bill signing.

Many boaters are celebrating this change as a way to reduce unnecessary stops and give responsible boaters more peace of mind.

“Makes it safer while out on the water, and not have police stop us randomly,” Jeryel Correa said. “I think it’s a great addition to the law. I definitely support it.”¹⁰

But critics warn the law could make it harder to enforce safety during peak times like the Fourth of July weekend.

Brevard Sheriff’s Deputy Mike Hoffman, who patrols the Indian River Lagoon, explained the new reality for law enforcement.

“You can still do a safety inspection if you stop someone for another violation,” Hoffman said. “But what you really want to do is have a violation of Florida Statute separate from a safety inspection.”¹¹

New Requirements Target Inexperienced Boaters

Lucy’s Law also requires most boaters operating engines over 10 horsepower to be boater safety certified.

There’s also a new safety sticker program for boats that pass their registration inspection.

This sticker lasts five years and shows cops that your boat meets safety standards, which might save you from getting pulled over under the new Boater Freedom Act.¹²

Don’t worry though – all the environmental rules are still there, like wake zones and protection for manatees and seagrass.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers like Chad Weber are patrolling to make sure people keep safety in mind first during the busy holiday weekend.

“We don’t have an open container law, but if you’re operating a vessel and you’re going to drink alcohol, designate a sober operator,” Weber warned. “The other thing is, you may not injure yourself if you’re intoxicated on a boat, but you might injure somebody else.”¹³

Lucy’s Family Turns Tragedy Into Life-Saving Action

Lucy’s father, Manuel Fernandez, spoke about why the family decided to fight for these changes when Governor DeSantis signed the law.

“We were led in this direction on purpose, and we have no doubt that Lucy guided us here and we are avid boaters. We are a boating family, and when we began to look at the gaps that existed in the laws and in the enforcement of those laws, we realized that we had no other choice but to make this our number one priority,” Manuel Fernandez said.¹⁴

The man police say is responsible for Lucy’s death is still facing felony vessel homicide charges.

But now, because of her family’s tireless advocacy, future victims will have much stronger legal protections.

Kevin and Sheena Showley, who boat with their two daughters on Lake Dora, say they see too many others not boating safely.

“You know if you’re doing donuts in the middle of the lake or spraying people with your prop wash, not cool,” Kevin said.

Sheena added, “Mostly the drinking. You’re most concerned about that? These are my kids. Of course. Because I want to keep them safe. I can’t control what other people are doing, but they can control themselves.”¹⁵

The tragic death of one beautiful teenager has now become the driving force behind laws that could save countless lives on Florida’s waterways.

Sometimes it takes a tragedy like Lucy’s to wake everyone up and force real change that’ll save lives.

¹ WTXL, “New Florida law enhances boater accountability,” July 6, 2025 ² WESH 2, “’Lucy’s Law’ increases boater safety ahead of Fourth of July,” July 3, 2025
 ³ WTXL, “New Florida law enhances boater accountability,” July 6, 2025 ⁴ WESH 2, “’Lucy’s Law’ increases boater safety ahead of Fourth of July,” July 3, 2025 ⁵ WESH 2, “First holiday weekend under new boating safety laws in Florida,” July 4, 2025 ⁶ Spectrum News, “Law enforcement patrolling Central Florida waters during 4th of July,” July 4, 2025 ⁷ WESH 2, “First holiday weekend under new boating safety laws in Florida,” July 4, 2025 ⁸ WTXL, “New Florida law enhances boater accountability,” July 6, 2025 ⁹ CBS12, “Florida’s Boater Freedom Act curbs random stops ahead of 4th of July weekend,” July 4, 2025 ¹⁰ CBS12, “Florida’s Boater Freedom Act curbs random stops ahead of 4th of July weekend,” July 4, 2025 ¹¹ Spectrum News, “Law enforcement patrolling Central Florida waters during 4th of July,” July 4, 2025 ¹² CBS12, “Florida’s Boater Freedom Act curbs random stops ahead of 4th of July weekend,” July 4, 2025 ¹³ WESH 2, “First holiday weekend under new boating safety laws in Florida,” July 4, 2025 ¹⁴ WTXL, “New Florida law enhances boater accountability,” July 6, 2025 ¹⁵ WESH 2, “First holiday weekend under new boating safety laws in Florida,” July 4, 2025